Sheet feeding apparatus



Feb. 1, 1966 c. LE RoY LARsoN 3,232,607

SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Filed July l, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Cha des LLarson INVENTOR.

Feb- 1, 1966 c. LE ROY LARsoN 3,232,507

SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Filed July l, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 C har]eSL.Lc1rSon INVENTOR.

nited States Patent iiice e 3,232,501? Patented Feb. l, 1966 3,232,607 SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Charles Le Roy Larsen, Grants Pass, Greg., assigner to .Ieddeloh Eros. Sweed Mills, Inc., Gold Hill, Greg., a corporation of Oregon Filed July 1, 1963, Ser. No. 291,889 13 Claims. (Cl. 271-64) This invention relates to sheet feeding apparatus generally, and more particularly to apparatus that may be employed to feed charges or batches of sheets onto conveyor apparatus disposed on the offbearing side thereof. The sheet feeding apparatus has particular utility in connection with the -feeding of veneer sheets into a veneer dryer, where the function of the apparatus is to feed succeeding charges of veneer sheets onto different decks o-f the dryer, with Ithe sheets then traveling o-n the dryer decks through a zone Where moisture is removed therefrom.

Generally, an object of this invention is to provide improved means for feeding sheets onto different ones of multiple decks, characterized by a considerably more rapid operation than is usually found in most feeders.

Another general object is to provide `sheet lfeeding apparatus, which is relatively simply constructed, and easy, therefore, to keep in proper operating condition.

In the plywood industry, veneer is ordinarily cut from relatively Wet logs, and veneer sheets after they have been cut must have substantial amounts of their moisture removed, to place them in proper condition to be bonded together, as is done in the making of a plywood panel. A veneer dryer is a bulky and expensive piece of equipment, and economical plywood manufacture is highly dependent upon rapid and etlcie-nt use o-f the dryer. In an effort to obtain greater production capacity in a dryer, increasingly faster speeds have been used in the decks of a dryer. This has complicated the problem of properly feeding sheets onto the diierent dryer decks, since with faster speeds there is a greater tendency -for overlapping of sheet edges to take place, and for variances to occur in the spacing between successive charges of Sheets deposited in any given deck.

According to this invention, and in one embodiment thereof, proper directional feeding of charges of sheets is accomplished through the use of an adjustable detlecting agency, which is adjusted to direct sheets, selectively, into one of multiple possible paths of travel defined by structure on the offbearing side of the deecting agency. The apparatus includes pinch-roll mechanism, comprising a supporting roll and a clamping roll thereabove, for moving sheets into and beyond the deecting agency. Where further separation is desired in the sheets after they leave the deilecting agency, the structure defining the multiple paths of travel for sheets on the otfbearing side of the deecting agency is also made adjustable, whereby each path may direct sheets into any one of two or more additional paths. The deflecting agency may be a mechanism of relatively small mass, and ordinarily is moved only a short distance to produce a change in the direction of travel of sheets on the olfbearing side thereof. With the deflecting agency being adjustable to produce an initial division of sheets into groups follovm'ng selected ones of dierent paths, the structure defining these different paths need be shifted only a relatively small distance, to produce a total number of possible paths for sheets to follow which is a multiple of the number of paths defined for the sheets on the otfbearing side of the deilecting agency.

More specifically, therefore, an object of the invention is to provide, in sheet feeding apparatus, novel means on the off-bearing side of a sheet supporting roll, operable to direct sheets selectively into either one or the other of at least two possible paths of travel, the adjustment necessary to produce a change in feed direction being a relatively small one, and quickly and easily made.

A related object is to provide, as a means for directing the sheets, a deieoting agency which is adjustable to a position where it also Iforms a stop blocking the forward travel of sheets from the supporting roll.

Yet another object is to provide, in conjunction with means .for directing sheets as set for-th above, means receiving sheets (and defining multiple paths of travel for the sheets) which is adjustable to produce a further division of sheets.

A further object is to provide sheet feeding apparatus, which comprises a stationary supporting roll (for supporting the ends of sheets while they are being laid out and prior to being fed forwardly), a clamping roll (which is lowered onto the supporting roll to start movement of the sheets forwardly), a deflecting agency disposed on the olfbearing side of these rolls, approximately at the level of their bite, producing a first division of sheets, and adjustable guide structure on the otfbearing side of the defleeting agency producing another division of sheets, with the total division of sheets produced by the apparatus being a multiple of the sheet divisions made by the dellecting agency.

A further object is to provide novel structure that may be incorporated on the olfbearing side of a supporting roll, including a shiftable deflector and shiftable guide structure cooperating with this deector, to produce multiple divisions of sheets.

These and other objects and advantages are attained by the invention, and the same is described herein-below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation, with portions broken away, of sheet feeding apparatus constructed according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, the line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a View illustrating portions of the offbearing end of the apparatus, and a tier of rollers provided adjacent its offbearing end;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view, somewhat simplified, of mechanism in the unloading apparatus that produces a change in the direction of sheet travel, and illustrating such mechanism in `two of its positions; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating the mechanism in another two of its positions.

Referring now the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, a frame for the feeding apparatus is indicated at 10. Frame l@ includes opposed upright standards 12, one being provided on either side of Ithe apparatus, and plate 14- and tube 16 interconnecting the standards. Supporting the base of the standards, and holding the frame above the ground, are legs 18.

In the apparatus illustrated, the left paratus in FIG. 2 is the feed end of the apparatus. With the apparatus operating, sheets are advanced from the left end, or feed end, through the right end of the apparatus in FIG. 2, which constitutes the oflfbearing end thereof.

Adjacent the obearing end of the apparatus, and partial-ly illustrated in FIG. 3, are four lrollers 2li, 22, 24, and 26. These rollers, as in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, may have a rubber or felt covering 21 provided about their surfaces, to increase the ltraction of the rollers. The rollers have opposite ends journaled in bearings 28 mounted on standards 12 of the fra-me.

Rollers 20, 22, 24, and 26 define four different delivery points `for sheets, such as veneer sheets, fed through the apparatus. With the apparatus used in conjunction with a veneer dryer, each roller would be positioned adjacent the feed end of an apron in the dryer, with the apron leadtaken generally along side of the aping to a dryer deck. Since four dilferent delivery points are defined by the rollers, the apparatus shown in the dryer is adapted to feed a four-deck dryer.

Considering now in more detail the construction of the feed end of the apparatus, here there is provided a substantially horizontal, elongated supporting roll, or roll mechanism, indicated at 3i?. Roll Sil has opposite ends journaled in bearings, such as bearing 32, mounted on standards 12. The roll may be a smooth-surfaced roll, such as a smooth-surfaced steel roll. Bearings 32 mounting the roll are mounted in a stationary position, and thus the top ot the roll may provide a support for the ends of veneer sheets laid upon the roll prior to actual feeding of the sheets forwardly, with such support remaining at a constant elevation. An elevation is selected for roll 30 which is a convenient working height for the usual operator who supplies sheets to the apparatus to ready it for feeding.

Disposed above roll 3@ is an elongated horizontal clamping roll, or roll mechanism, 34. Roll 34 substantially parallels roll 30. In the form of the invention shown, roll 34 comprises a shaft 36 with rubber-surfaced wheels 38 journaled on the shaft. Shaft 36 is supported at its ends, and at points between wheels 38, by brackets 40.

42, which has each of its ends secured to a pivoted mounting, such as mounting 44. The mounting at each end of the beam is journaled on standard 12, by means of a bearing 46. Fluid motors or rams 50, one of which is pivot-ally connected to the mounting at each end of beam 42,

re extended to swing roll 34 from the position shown in solid outline in FIG. 2, which is the clamping position for the roll, to the position shown in dashed outline in FIG. 2, which is the release position for the roll.

Rolls 349, 34 constitute pinch-roll mechanism in the apparatus that provides the power for moving veneer sheets through the apparatus. When assembling a charge of sheets for feeding, roll 34 is swung to its release position. On the charge being prepared, roll 34 is swung downwardly to its clamping position, with the sheets in the charge then being clamped in the bite of the rolls.

Rollers 26, 22, 24, and 26, and roll 30 are rotated under power. Further explaining the drive for these elements, an electric motor 56 is mounted on plate 14 of the frame. The output shaft of motor 56 has a sprocket 58 secured thereto. Secured to the various rollers and roll Sil are sprockets, indicated at 60, 62, 64., 66, and 68. A chain, or drive belt means 7G is trained about these sprockets, with the course of the chain being such that the rollers and roll 3d are rotated in a clockwise direction in FIG. 2. ldler sprockets '72, '74 journaled on the frame of the apparatus tighten the chain about the various sprockets.

As indicated earlier, successive charges of veneer sheets may be directed into selected ones of different paths as they travel through the feeder by proper adjustment of a deflecting agency provided on the offbearing side of the pinch-roll mechanism. Successive charges of sheets may be further divided into groups following different paths of travel by adjustment of guide structure on the offbearing side of the detlecting agency which receives sheets traveling from the defiecting agency. These features of the apparatus will now be described in greater detail.

Disposed between standards 12 on either side of the apparatus is a sub frame 80. Sub frame 30 includes on each side thereof a triangular-shaped truss structure S2, and these truss-structures mount an upper guide plate 84 and a lower guide plate 8d. Each of these guide plates is adapted to support slidably a sheet moved under power thereover, and is also referred to herein as a sheet guide.

The sub frame adjacent its feed end, or the left end thereof in FIG. 2, has extending laterally outwardly to the sides thereof the ends of a bar S8, which is secured to the underside of the sub frame. Bar S8 is pivoted on each standard l2 by a pivot Aconnection 92. Pivot ooni nections 92 provide a pivot axis for the sub frame which is disposed forwardly of the pinch-roll mechanism at approximately the level of the bite of the rolls in the mechanism.

The sub frame is pivoted between the positions shown in sol-id and dashed outline in FIG. 2, by means of fluid rams connected to the sub frame adjacent each side of the apparatus, such as ram 94 shown in FIGS. l and 2. With the rams contracted, lower guide plate 86 directs sheets to roller 28, and upper guide plate 84 directs sheets to roller 2d. With the rams extended, the sub frame is pivoted upwardly, and lower guide plate 36 directs sheets to roller 22, While upper guide plate S4 directs sheets to roller 26.

Integral with the sub frame, and on either side thereof adjacent the feed end of the sub frame, are upstanding lugs, such as lug 93. A selector gate 100, or delecting agency, extends between the lugs on either side of the sub frame. Gate 10i) takes the form of an elongated, concavo-convex bar, substantially coextensive in length with the length of the pinch-roll mechanism at the feed end of the apparatus.

Bar has a shaft 102 extending along the length thereof and secured to the back face of the bar.V This shaft has its ends journaled in lugs 98. Secured to the ends of shaft 162 and disposed outwardly of the lugs ,are arms, such as arm 133, which provide a means for'swinging the selector gate about the pivot axis for the gate which corresponds to the longitudinal axis of shaft 102.

Extensible means 166 is provided connected to the selector gate for swinging the gate under power to various positions. Extensible means 196 is extensible in three stages.

More specifically, extensible means 106 comprises a pair of rams 10S, 11d disposed end-to-end on Veach side of the apparatus. Each ram 1438 is pivoted at 112 to the sub frame, and the rod end of each ram 168 is connected to the cylinder end of a ram 11?. The rod of each ram 210 is pivotally connected to an Aarm 193 at 113. With only one of the rams extended, of each set of rams 103, 110, for instance ram 11d as shown in FIG. 2, the selector gate has a substantially upright position. In this position, the gate operates as a stop means, preventing the forward travel of sheets. As can be seen with reference to FIG. 4, when both of the rams are extended, the selector gate is shifted to an inclined position, where `it is operable to deflect sheets upwardly and onto upper guide plate 84. On contraction of both of the rams, the selector gate is inclined in the opposite direction, and sheets moving into the gate are deflected downwardly and onto lower guide plate $6.

The apparatus described enables veneer sheets fed into the apparatus by clamping and supporting rolls 34, Si) to be channeled selectively into any one of four different paths. One selection determining one of two different paths is made by the selector gate. Another selection, which determines one of two different paths for sheets to follow on leaving each guide plate, is made through swinging the sub frame to either its raised or lowered position.

Explaining the operation of the apparatus, when setting up a charge of sheets in the feeder, and prior to actual feeding of the sheets, rams 50 on each side of the apparatus are extended to swing clamping roll 34 upwardly and away from supporting roll 36. Rams 11@ are extended, as shown in FIG. 2, and rams 108 are contracted, to place the selector gate in an upright position. Sheets may then be laid side by side on the supporting roll, with their ends abutting the selector gate, the latter then functioning as a means aligning the forward ends of the sheets. The traction of smooth-surfaced roll 36 is insufficient to cause the sheets to move forwardly beyond the selector gate. The ends of sheets opposite the ends supported on the supporting roll may be supported on a table, or held manually, or supported by other means.

When the supporting roll has a full row of sheets, or a charge, set up thereon, the clamping roll is swung downwardly, which produces clamping of the sheets between the two rolls of the pinch-roll mechanism. The selector gate is also shifted to cause the sheets to be detiected either upwardly or downwardly, by proper adjustment of extensible means 106.

A typical feeding operation may comprise the following sequence of movement. Initially extensible means 106 may be fully extended, to place the gate in the position indicated by the dashed outline for the gate in FIG. 5. Rams 94 may be contracted, to lower the sub frame, as shown in FIG. 5. With the parts so positioned, sheets will travel forwardly to roller 24, and thence to the deck in the dryer which is the third deck from the bottom. When the next charge of sheets pass through the feeder, these sheets may be directed to roll-er 20 and the bottom deck of the dryer, by shifting gate l0@ to the position indicated by the solid outline for the gate in FIG. 5. On asubsequent charge being fed through the dryer, ram 94 may be extended, to place the parts in the position shown in solid outline in FIG. 4. This results in sheets being fed to roller 22, and the second deck from the bottom of the dryer. The next charge of sheets may be directed to the top deck of the dryer, over roller 26, by swinging gate i) to the positions shown in dashed outline in FIG. 4.

While a given sequence of movements has been indicated, of course others may be utilized. For instance, each time a charge is fed by the feeder, rams 94 may be actuated simultaneously with means 106, to produce feeding, for instance, rst over top roller 26, then over the second from the top roller 24, then over the second from the bottom roller 22, and finally over bottom roller 20. The operating sequence first described, however, is preferable, as it minimizes the movement necessary -in pivoted sub frame 80. In either case, the parts that are adjusted to direct sheets have relatively small mass compared to mechanisms used in prior known constructions, and the total distance which they must move to produce a change in direction in sheet travel is relatively small.

Where only two dryer decks are to be fed, the sub frame may be kept stationary, and feed direction may be determined entirely by the selector gate.

The feeder apparatus is relatively short, and the usual size veneer sheets may be fed through the apparatus, with such being cleared from the apparatus by rollers 2.0, 22, 24, 26 frictionally contacting the under faces of the sheets. Ordinarily, no pinch rolls or similar means are necessary adjacent the offbearing end of the apparatus. Such may be included if desired, however.

While an embodiment of the invention has been described, it is appreciated that various changes are possible without departing from the invention. It is desired to cover all modifications and variations that would be apparent to one skilled in the art, and that come within the scope within the appended claims.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In sheet feeding apparatus,

an elongated supporting roll,

means on the offbearing side of said supporting roll defining at least two paths of travel for sheets moving forwardly from said supporting roll,

stop and deflector means mounted on the offbearing side of said supporting roll adjacent the `feed ends of said two travel paths, said stop and deiiector means having a stop position where it is operable to stop the advance of sheets, and the travel of sheets into said two paths, and

means connected to said stop and deector means for shifting it from its said stop position to one of two defiecting positions,

said stop and deflector means in one of its said deflecting positions being operable to direct sheets traveling yfrom said supporting roll into one of said travel paths,

said stop and deector means in the other of its said deflecting positions being operable to direct sheets traveling from said supporting roll into the other of said travel paths.

2. In sheet feeding apparatus,

an elongated substantially horizontal supporting roll,

first and second sheet guides mounted adjacent the offbearing side of said supporting roll,

said sheet guides having feed ends spaced vertically from each other, and said guides diverging from each other progressing away from the feed ends thereof,

adjustable mechanism disposed between said supporting roll and the feed ends of said sheet guides forming a stop against which the ends of sheets extending over said supporting roll may be abutted with the sheets then blocked for movement forwardly of the supporting roll, and

means for adjusting said adjustable mechanism to one position, where sheets are free to move from said supporting roll onto one sheet guide, and another position, where sheets are free to move from said supporting roll onto the other sheet guide.

3. In sheet feeding apparatus,

an elongated supporting roll,

first and second sheet guides mounted adjacent the offbearing side of said supporting roll,

said sheet guides having feed ends spaced vertically apart from each other and diverging from each other progressing away from said feed ends,

stop and defiector means mounted between said supporting roll and the feed ends of said sheet guides,

said stop and deflector means having a stop position where it is operable to stop the advance of sheets, and the travel of sheets onto said sheet guides, and

means connected to said stop and deflector means for shifting it from its -said stop position to one of two deecting positions,

said stop and deflector means in one of its said deflecting positions being operable to direct sheets traveling from said supporting roll onto one of said guides,

said stop and defiector means in the other of its said deflecting positions being operable to direct sheets traveling from said supporting roll onto the other of said guides.

4. In sheet feeding apparatus,

pinch-roll mechanism for feeding sheets including a top and bottom roll, means for rotating under power at least one of said rolls, and means for moving the rolls toward and away from each other between clamping and release positions, respectively,

first and second sheet guides mounted adjacent the offbearing side of said pinch-roll mechanism,

each of said sheet guides comprising structure adapted to support slidably a sheet moved under power thereover by said pinch-roll mechanism,

said sheet guides having feed ends adjacent each other and diverging from said feed ends progressing away from the offbearing side of said pinch-roll mechanism, and

adjustable mechanism disposed between said pinch-roll mechanism and the feed ends of said sheet guides forming a stop against which the ends of sheets extending between the rolls of said pinch-roll mechanism may be abutted with the sheets then blocked from movement forwardly of the pinch-roll mechainsm, and

means for adjusting said adjustable mechanism to one position where sheets are free to move from said inch-roll mechanism onto one sheet guide, and

another position, where sheets are free to move from said pinch-roll mechanism onto the other sheet guide.

5, In sheet feeding apparatus,

pinch-roll mechanism for feeding sheets including a top and bottom roll and means-for rotating under power at least one of said rolls,

means for shifting the rolls of the pinch-roll mechanism to a radially spaced-apart position where said bottom roll may function as a supporting roll for sheets,

stop and deflector mechanism disposed on the oifbearing side of said pinch-roll mechanism in a position to engage sheets forwardly fed by the pinch-roll mechanism,

said stop and detiector mechanism having one operative position where sheets resting on said bottom roll have their forward progress stopped by the stop and deiiector mechanism, and

means for adjusting said stop and deiiector mechanism to another operative position where the mechanism is operable to engage the top faces of sheets fed thereto by the pinch-roll mechanism and by such engagement deect the sheets downwardly so that the sheets travel forwardly under the stop and deflector mechanism.

6. In sheet feeding apparatus,

pinch-roll mechanism for feeding sheets including a top and bottom roll and means for rotating under power at least one of said rolls,

means for shifting the rolls of the roll mechanism to a radiaily spaced-apart position whereby the bottom roll may function as a supporting roll for sheets,

stop and deiiector mechanism disposed' on the oifbearing side of said pinch-roll mechanism in a position to engage sheets fed forwardly by the pinch-roll mechanism,

said stop and deiiector mechanism having one operative position where sheets resting on said bottom roll engage the mechanism and have their forward progress stopped, and

means for adjusting said stop and detiector mechanism from said one to one of two other operative positions,

said stop and deiiector mechanism in one of said two other operative positions operating to engage a set of faces of sheets fed thereto by the pinch-roll means and by engaging said faces deflecting the sheets so that they travel forwardly at one level,

said stop and delector mechanism in the other of said two other operative positions operating to pass sheets forwardly at another level which is spaced vertically from said one level.

7. In sheet feeding apparatus,

the combination of a frame,

a substantially horizontal supporting roll journaled on said frame for supporting sheets placed thereon,

a clamping roll parallel to and disposed above said supporting roll with the bottom of the clamping roll and top of the supporting roll defining a bite for the two rolls,

means for shifting said clamping roll toward and away from said supporting roll between clamp and release positions, respectively,

power-driven means for driving at least one of said rolls,

rst and second sheet guides mounted adjacent the offbearing sides of said supporting and clamping rolls,

each of said sheet guides comprising structure adapted to support slidably a sheet moved by the rolls thereover,

said sheet guides having feed ends adjacent each other and diverging from each other progressing away from the offbearing sides of vsaid rolls, and

adjustable mechanism between the rolls and the feed ends of said sheet guides forming a stop against which the ends of sheets extending over said supporting roll may be abutted with the sheets then blocked from movement forwardly of the supporting roll, and

means for adjusting said adjustable mechanism to one position, where sheets are free to move from said supporting roll onto one sheet guide, and another position where sheets are free to move from said supporting roll onto the other sheet guide.

8. In sheet feeding apparatus,

the combination of a frame,

a substantially horizontal supporting roll journaled on said frame for supporting sheets placed thereon,

a clamping roll disposed above said supporting roll,

means for shifting said clamping roll toward and away from said supporting roll between clamp and release positions, respectively,

power-driven means for driving at lea-st one of said rolls,

first and second sheet guides mounted adjacent the off- Vbearing sides of said supporting and clamping rolls,

each of vsaid sheet guides comprising structure adapted to support slidably a sheet moved by the rolls thereover,

said sheet guides having feed ends adjacent each other and diverging from each other progressing away from the otibearing sides of said rolls,

a pivotable stop plate mounted on the offbearing sides of said rolls adjacent the feed ends of said two sheet guides in a position blocking the travel of sheets onto either of said sheet guides, and

extensible means connected to said stop plate for pivoting the stop plate,

said extensible means having two operative positions and in one operative position pivoting said stop plate to a position where it directs sheets into one of said sheet guides,

said extensible means in its other operative position pivoting said stop plate to a position where it directs sheets into the other of said sheet guides.

9. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination of pinch-roll mechanism operable to advance sheets along a path coinciding with the bite of the roll mechanism,

an elongated gate substantially paralleling the roll mechanism andv mounted substantially in the plane of its said bite on the oifbearing side thereof,

extensible means extensible in three stages,

Vmeans connecting said extensible means to said gate,

said gate with the extensible means in one stage of extension having a position directing sheets upwardly, in another stage of extension having a position dinecting sheets downwardly, and in another stage of extension having a position blocking the advance of sheets, and

guide structure on the offbearing side of said gate operable to receive material deflected by the gate.

tti. In sheet feeding apparatus,

a frame,

an elongated horizontal supporting roll journaled on said frame,

means defining at ieast two paths of travel for sheets on the off-bearing side of said supporting roll,

pivot means mounting the means defining said travel paths accommodating swinging of the oifbearing ends of said paths up and down with such swinging occurring about an axis substantially paralleling said supporting roll,

power-operated means for swinging the means defining said travel paths,

stop means mounted on the offbearing side of said supporting roll adjacent the feed ends of said two travel paths and operable to stop the advance of sheets into said paths, and

means connected to said stop means for shifting it from its position stopping the advance of sheets to one of two deflecting positions,

said stop means in one of said defiecting positions directing sheets'int'o one of said travel paths,

said stop means in the other of said deflecting positions directing sheets into the other of said travel paths.

11. In apparatus for feeding sheets,

a main frame,

an elongated horizontal supporting roll journaled on said main frame, a sub frame mounted for movement -on said main frame,

first and second sheet guides mounted -on said sub frame having feed ends adjacent each other,

said sheet guides diverging from each other progressing away from the feed ends thereof,

means for shifting said sub frame and the sheet guides therein whereby the sheet guides direct sheets to different levels, and

adjustable mechanism blocking said feed ends `of the sheet guides,

said adjustable mechanism being adjustable to -one position where movement of sheets is afforded onto one guide and blocked onto the other guide, and another position where -movement of sheets onto the other guide is afforded and blocked ont-o the one guide.

12. In sheet feeding apparatus,

a main frame,

an elongated horizontal supporting roll journaled on the main frame,

a clamping roll disposed above the supporting roll,

means mounting the clamping roll affording movement thereof toward and away from said supporting roll between clamping and release positions, respectively,

means for driving at least one of the rolls,

a pair of sheet guides mounted on the offbearing side `of said rolls with feed ends adjacent the bite of said rolls,

means pivotally mounting said sheet guides whereby the otfbearing ends thereof are pivotable up and down,

means on the offbearing side of said supporting roll adjacent the feed ends of said sheet guides blocking forward movement of sheets, and

mechanism connected to said last-mentioned means for shifting it to one of two deflecting positions,

said means in one of said deecting positions directing sheets lonto one of said sheet guides,

said means in the other of said deecting positions directing sheets onto the other of said sheet guides.

13. Sheet feeding apparatus comprising,

a main frame,

a substantially horizontal supporting roll journaled on said main frame,

a clamping roll disposed above the supporting roll,

means mounting the clamping roll whereby it may be moved toward and away from the supporting roll mechanism between clamping and release positions, respectively,

means for driving at least one of the rolls,

a sub frame pivotaliy mounted on the main frame with the pivot axis adjacent the bite of said rolls,

a pair of sheet guides with feed ends adjacent each other mounted on said sub frame,

power-operated means connected to said sub frame for pivoting the same about its said pivot axis,

mechanism mounted on said sub frame blocking the travel of sheets forwardly from said rolls,

said mechanism comprising a stop bar journaled on said sub frame, and

extensible means connected to said stop bar,

said extensible means being actuatable to place said stop bar in a position Where it deects sheets selectively either onto one or the other of said sheet guides.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 625,094 5/1899 DeXter 271-57 1,655,672 l/l928 Aldrich. 3,024,716 3/ 1962 Limberger 271-64 XR M. HENSON WOOD, JR., Primary Examiner. W. F. MCCARTHY, R. A. SCHACHER,

Assistant Examiners. 

2. IN SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS, AN ELONGATED SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL SUPPORTING ROLL, FIRST AND SECOND SHEET GUIDES MOUNTED ADJACENT THE OFFBEARING SIDE OF SAID SUPPORTING ROLL, SAID SHEET GUIDES HAVING FEED ENDS SPACED VERTICALLY FROM EACH OTHER, AND SAID GUIDES DIVERGING FROM EACH OTHER PROGRESSING AWAY FROM THE FEED ENDS THEREOF, ADJUSTABLE MECHANISM DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID SUPPORTING ROLL AND THE FEED ENDS OF SAID SHEET GUIDES FORMING A STOP AGAINST WHICH THE ENDS OF SHEETS EXTENDING OVER SAID SUPPORTING ROLL MAY BE ABUTTED WITH THE SHEETS THEN BLOCKED FOR MOVEMENT FORWARDLY OF THE SUPPORTING ROLL, AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTING SAID ADJUSTABLE MECHANISM TO ONE POSITION, WHERE SHEETS ARE FREE TO MOVE FROM SAID SUPPORTING ROLL ONTO ONE SHEET GUIDE, AND ANOTHER POSITION, WHERE SHEETS ARE FREE TO MOVE FROM SAID SUPPORTING ROLL ONTO THE OTHER SHEET GUIDE. 